title: Myocardial production of aldosterone and corticosterone in the rat. Physiological regulation.
abstract: Increasing evidence suggests that mineralo- and glucocorticoids modulate cardiovascular homeostasis via the effects of circulating components generated within the adrenals but also through local synthesis. The aim of this study was to assess the existence of such a steroidogenic system in heart. Using the quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, the terminal enzymes of corticosterone and aldosterone synthesis (11beta-hydroxylase and aldosterone synthase, respectively) were detected in the rat heart. This pathway was shown to be physiologically active, since production of aldosterone, corticosterone, and their precursor, deoxycorticosterone, was detected in both the homogenate and perfusate of isolated rat hearts using radioimmunoassay after Celite column chromatography. Perfusion of angiotensin II or adrenocorticotropin for 3 h increased aldosterone and corticosterone production and decreased deoxycorticosterone, suggesting that aldosterone and corticosterone are formed within the isolated heart from a locally present substrate. Chronic regulation of this intracardiac system was then examined. As in adrenals cardiac 11beta-hydroxylase and aldosterone-synthase mRNAs were independently regulated by 1 week's treatment with either low sodium and high potassium diet (which increased aldosterone synthase mRNA level only), angiotensin II (which raised level of both mRNAs), or adrenocorticotropin (which stimulated the 11beta-hydroxylase gene exclusively). Changes in cardiac steroid levels during treatment were not directly related to their plasma levels suggesting independent regulating mechanisms. This study, therefore, provides the first evidence for the existence of an endocrine cardiac steroidogenic system in rat heart and emphasizes its potential physiological and pathological relevance.
authors.affiliation: INSERM U127, Hôpital Lariboisière, 75475 Paris Cedex 10, France.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Silvestre
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Robert
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Heymes
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Aupetit-Faisant
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mouas
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Moalic
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Swynghedauw
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Delcayre
mesh_terms: D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000187:drug effects; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology; D000450:Aldosterone / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D019405:Cytochrome P-450 CYP11B2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D003900:Desoxycorticosterone / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000187:drug effects; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism*; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D010477:Perfusion; D017419:Potassium, Dietary / Q000494:pharmacology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012982:Sodium, Dietary / Q000494:pharmacology; D013252:Steroid 11-beta-Hydroxylase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013250:Steroid Hydroxylases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013599:Systole / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D017419:Potassium, Dietary; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012982:Sodium, Dietary; D000804:Angiotensin II; D003900:Desoxycorticosterone; D000450:Aldosterone; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D013250:Steroid Hydroxylases; D019405:Cytochrome P-450 CYP11B2; D013252:Steroid 11-beta-Hydroxylase; D003345:Corticosterone